Disposable tourniquet cuff

Abstract

A tourniquet cuff for reducing blood flow in a patient's limb includes a backing plate having an inner and outer side. A flexible covering having an inner and outer side is also provided. The flexible covering is formed to be substantially more pliable than the backing plate. The backing plate and the flexible covering are attached to each other to define an inflation cavity between the inner side of the backing plate and the inner side of the flexible covering. An inflatable bladder is positioned in the inflation cavity and the tourniquet is secured about a patient's limb with the outer side of the flexible covering in contact with the patient's limb.

I claim: 
     
       1. A tourniquet cuff for reducing blood flow in a patient's limb, the tourniquet comprising, a backing plate having an inner and outer side,   a flexible covering having an inner and outer side, formed to be substantially more pliable than the backing plate, the backing plate and the flexible covering being attached together to define an inflation cavity between the inner side of the backing plate and the inner side of the flexible covering,   an inflatable bladder positioned in the inflation cavity, and   means for securing the tourniquet about a patient's limb with the outer side of the flexible covering in contact with the patient's limb.   
     
     
       2. The tourniquet of claim 1, further comprising a border strip positioned for stitching attachment of the backing plate and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       3. The tourniquet of claim 2, wherein the flexible covering is attached to the backing plate by stitching extending through the flexible border strip, the backing plate, and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       4. The tourniquet of claim i, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises first and second air impermeable layers attached together by an air impermeable seal at their peripheries to provide a bladder chamber defined between the first and second air impermeable layers, and means for inflating the bladder chamber. 
     
     
       5. The tourniquet of claim 4, wherein the inflating means includes conduit situated to extend through the backing plate and join in fluid communication with the bladder chamber. 
     
     
       6. The tourniquet of claim 5, wherein the inflating means includes a coupling piece attached to the conduit, the coupling piece being configured for attachment to a pressurized air source. 
     
     
       7. A disposable tourniquet cuff comprising, a backing plate formed from a semirigid material and having an inner and outer side,   a flexible covering having an inner and outer side, formed to be substantially more pliable than the semirigid backing plate, and attached to the backing plate to define an inflation cavity between the inner side of the backing plate and the inner side of the flexible covering,   an inflatable bladder positioned in the inflation cavity, the inflatable bladder having first and second air impermeable fabric layers formed by impregnation of fabric with polymeric material, the first and second air impermeable fabric layers attached together by an air impermeable seal at their peripheries to provide a bladder chamber defined therebetween, and means for inflating the bladder chamber, and   means for securing the tourniquet about a patient's limb.   
     
     
       8. The tourniquet of claim 7, further comprising a flexible border strip peripherally attached to both the outer side of the backing plate and the outer side of the flexible covering. 
     
     
       9. The tourniquet of claim 8, wherein the flexible covering is attached to the backing plate by stitching extending through the flexible border strip, the backing plate, and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       10. The tourniquet of claim 9, wherein the backing plate and the flexible covering have substantially identical rectangular shapes. 
     
     
       11. A tourniquet cuff for reducing blood flow in a patient's limb, the tourniquet comprising, a backing plate having an inner and outer side,   a strip supporting a plurality of fabric hooks, the strip being attached to the outer side of the backing plate,   a fabric strap attached at one end to the outer side of the backing plate, the fabric strap supporting a plurality of fabric loops for engagement with the fabric hooks,   a flexible covering having an inner and outer side, formed to be substantially more pliable than the backing plate, the backing plate and the flexible covering being attached together to define an inflation cavity between the inner side or the backing plate and the inner side of the flexible covering, and the outer side of the flexible covering presenting an engagable surface for engagement with the fabric hooks to augment securement of the tourniquet about a patient's limb, and   an inflatable bladder positioned in the inflation cavity, the bladder being inflatable to reduce blood flow in a patient's limb when the tourniquet cuff is wrapped around a patient's limb, the fabric strap is securely attached to the strip, and the strip engages the engagable surface of the flexible covering.   
     
     
       12. The tourniquet of claim 11, further comprising a border strip positioned for stitching attachment of the backing plate and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       13. The tourniquet of claim 12, wherein the flexible covering is attached to the backing plate by stitching extending through the flexible border strip, the backing plate, and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       14. The tourniquet of claim 11, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises first and second air impermeable layers attached together by an air impermeable seal at their peripheries to provide a bladder chamber defined between the first and second air impermeable layers, and means for inflating the bladder chamber. 
     
     
       15. The tourniquet of claim 14, wherein the inflating means includes an inlet conduit situated to extend through the backing plate and join in fluid communication with the bladder chamber. 
     
     
       16. The tourniquet of claim 15, wherein the inflating means includes an outlet conduit situated to extend through the backing plate into the bladder chamber and allows release of pressurized air. 
     
     
       17. A tourniquet cuff for reducing blood flow in a patient's limb, the tourniquet comprising, a backing plate having an inner and outer side,   a flexible covering having an inner and outer side, the flexible covering being formed to be substantially more pliable than the backing plate, and the backing plate and the flexible covering being attached together to define an inflation cavity between the inner side of the backing plate and the inner side of the flexible covering,   an inflatable bladder positioned in the inflation cavity,   means for wrappably attaching the tourniquet cuff to itself, and   means for engaging the outer side of the flexible covering to augment securement of the tourniquet cuff about a patient's limb and minimize telescoping lateral movement of the tourniquet.   
     
     
       18. The tourniquet of claim 17, wherein the flexible covering is padded to distribute application of circumferential pressure to a patient's limb and enhance patient comfort. 
     
     
       19. The tourniquet of claim 18, wherein the flexible covering is substantially formed from a polymeric foam attached to the backing plate by stitching extending through both the backing plate and the flexible covering. 
     
     
       20. The tourniquet of claim 17, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises first and second air impermeable layers attached together by an air impermeable seal at their peripheries to provide a bladder chamber defined between the first and second air impermeable layers, and means for inflating the bladder chamber. 
     
     
       21. The tourniquet of claim 20, wherein the inflating means includes at least one conduit situated to extend through the backing plate and join in fluid communication with the bladder chamber.